A new season means new flavors coming into Charlotte’s ever-changing culinary scene. Read on for this month’s need-to-know foodie news, from recent and upcoming openings to culinary events.
JUST OPENED
Blacow – Southend
1515 S Tryon St.
Blacow, known for being voted best burger in Charlotte 2018, has expanded from Fort Mill and University to South End. Expect a fusion of burgers and sushi on the menu, including short rib steak patties, homemade brioche buns and hand cut fries as well as classic, chef’s special sushi and nigiri and sashimi a la carte. Can’t decide? Opt for the bento box with a burger slider, sushi, fries and Thai cucumber and edamame.
Búho Bar
201 W. Trade St.
16 floors above Charlotte’s city streets, the new Búho Bar at the Grand Bohemian offers handcrafted cocktails, tapas and city views from an open-air lounge. View the wine list here. They officially opened on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Mico Restaurant
201 W. Trade St.
Inside the new Grand Bohemian hotel in Uptown, Mico Restaurant offers guests a culinary escape with Argentinian-inspired drinks, dishes and ambiance. On the menu, expect merguez spiced lamb, salmon skewers dry-rubbed with za’atar spice, and cuts of beef, wood-grilled over oak, served with chimichurri, charred pearl onion, roasted garlic and 7 spice. View the dinner menu here.
Silverlake Ramen South End
2041 South Blvd. Unit 107
LA-based Silverlake Ramen is now open in South End across from the Atherton Development. 11AM-9PM for dine-in and patio dining. Browse their menu online.
Red Salt
555 S McDowell St.
Red Salt, a modern American concept from award-winning celebrity chef David Burke, opened at Le Méridien Charlotte on September 18. Expect steaks prepared using chef Burke’s patented Himalayan sea salt dry-aging technique, homemade bread and an award-winning pastry program. The restaurant is also be surrounded with artwork curated by chef Burke himself.
OPENING SOON
The Exchange at 36th
451 36th Street
This fall, expect a new market concept in NoDa from Bistro la Bon executive chef Kevin Samuel. The Exchange at 36th will offer grab and go sandwiches, artisanal products, a bar and pantry essentials just a one-minute walk from the NoDa light rail stop. They expect to open this month, so stay tuned to their Instagram page for updates.
The Giddy Goat
1217 The Plaza
Coming soon to the former Sushi Guru spot in Plaza Midwood, The Giddy Goat is expected to serve breakfast, brunch and lunch, plus an espresso bar and cocktails at night.
NEWS & MENU UPDATES
City of Charlotte launches StreetEats program
Enjoy the fall weather and support your local spots safely with StreetEats Plaza Midwood, which features temporary outdoor seating in parking lots and streets. Restaurants participating in the Plaza Midwood program include Dish, The Pizza Peel, The Bohemian, Coaltrane’s NC Red, Zada Jane’s and more. The City is also planning StreetEats programs at Promenade on Providence, on Albemarle Road and East Town Market later this month.
The Waterman: “Low Tide Lunch”
Take a coastal escape for a weekday lunch with The Waterman’s new $10 “Low Tide Lunch” special. The menu offers a Signature Waterman Sandwich each weekday with fries or slaw for just $10, available from 11 am-2 pm, with Oyster Happy Hour, featuring $1 House Oysters, kicking off directly after at 2 pm.
Viva Chicken Introduces new Limited Time Menu Inspired by Asian Flavors of Peru
Through November 25, Viva Chicken will offer two limited edition items designed by Peruvian founder Chef Bruno Machiavello at all 12 locations. Inspired by Asian fusion cuisine, the Tallarín Saltado is a Peruvian stir-fry dish that uses authentic ingredients combined with Asian influences, a style of food called Chifa. Tallarín Saltado: Sauteed chicken breast, red pepper, Aji pepper slices, red onion, tomato slices, linguine, soy sauce, ginger and green onion. They’re also offering a new “Viva Mac” special for kids, made with creamy Huancaina cheese sauce and linguine pasta.
Must-try: Birria consommé from Another!? Food Truck
Another!? Food Truck, the newest mobile kitchen concept to hit the streets of Charlotte, has a new crowd favorite: the $12 Viva La Juicy, chef/owner Anthony Denning’s creative play on the traditional Mexican birria consommé. While the traditional dish features tender stewed meat, dried chillies and other spices served in beef consommé, the Viva La Juicy is filled with the tender braised beef blend and three-cheese Mexican queso then dipped into its own braising liquid giving the taco-like shell a quesadilla-like finish. It’s topped with cilantro and a creamy smoked jalapeño aioli drizzle to add a little spice and served with a small cup of the flavorful braising liquid for dipping. Location and hours announced weekly on their website.
“Seafood Supper” at Sea Level NC
Head Uptown to enjoy three courses of domestic, fresh-as-it-gets seafood for just $35 per person at Sea Level NC Tuesday through Thursday every week. Selections include their signature oyster on the half shell, New England-style clam chowder, East Coast Shrimp + Grits and Watermelon Sorbet.
Brunch at Little Mama’s Italian
At this Italian newcomer in SouthPark, expect items like a Spinach and Prosciutto Quiche, USDA Prime ribeye, four eggs and home fries and a homemade giant cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting Available 9:30 am – 2 pm Saturday and Sunday.
FOODIE EVENTS
High Tea at The McNinch House Restaurant
Oct. 10 | 1-3 pm
The McNinch House Restaurant will host an authentic High Tea on Oct. 10, where guests will be served on antique china at a table set with antique silver and enjoy some of the same small indulgences that have become de rigueur at this very English ritual. The cost is $65 per person, and reservations are necessary. Prepaid reservations can be made by calling 704.332.6159 or emailing mcninchhouse@gmail.com.
Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend
Oct. 13-17 | Various locations
The reimagined Charlotte Wine + Food Week presented by Truist includes a week-long virtual auction (open to the public for the first time), socially distant restaurant vintner dinners, a Friday virtual happy hour tasting, and a virtual gala featuring Napa Valley winemaker Julien Fayard in discussion with Master Sommelier Desmond Echavarrie of Scale Wine Group.
Quintessa Wine Dinner
October 14 | Napa on Kingsley
Make reservations now for Napa on Kingsley’s Quintessa Wine Dinner, featuring five courses and four wine pairings. $125++ per person.
Far Niente Wine Dinner
The Pump House | Oct. 13-14
At The Pump House, enjoy a five-course dinner featuring wine tastings from Napa Valley winery Far Niente. $115++ per person. Call 803.329.8888 to reserve your seat.
Charlotte Black Restaurant Week
Oct. 19-31 | Various locations
Support local, Black-owned businesses during the 4th annual Charlotte Black Restaurant Week. On Oct. 30, don’t miss Black Food Truck Friday from 3-9 pm at 3148 Freedom Drive, which will feature tastes of seafood, soul food, desserts and more. There will also be local artisan merchants on site.
South End Wine Fest
Oct. 21-25 | Various locations
The 6th Annual South End Wine & Hops Fest week returns Oct 21-25 with 6 wine filled fun events. Foodies in particular may be interested in a wine dinner at Zeppelin on Oct. 22, an evening of al fresco dining with Tayste Catering on Oct. 23, and a multi-course wine dinner at Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails on Oct. 25.
